Volvo XC60 Recharge hybrid interior, dashboard & comfort

The XC60 Recharge’s cabin feels spacious and retains the Swedish brand’s smart interior design language. The XC60 now features a Google-powered infotainment suite that’s a cut above many of its competitor’s systems, but it still sits on a relatively small central screen; rivals offering larger displays instantly feel more modern inside.

Volvo XC60 Recharge hybrid dashboard

All XC60s get a nine-inch portrait-orientated, tablet-style touchscreen infotainment system in the centre of the dashboard. It’s flanked by a pair of nice metal air vents, while the plastics and leather that line the rest of the interior mean that, when you factor in the hybrid technology as well, the car's lofty price tag starts to make sense. That display is joined by 12.3-inch digital dials, which benefit from improved graphics in the updated model.

One drawback of the system is that the climate controls are integrated into the touchscreen. It’s a small point, and while it means the dashboard is free of buttons and therefore clutter, you have to use the screen to adjust the temperature and fan speed. Thankfully, Volvo has fully embraced the Android Automotive operating system; many of the car’s basic functions like the heated seats, navigation and radio controls can be programmed using “Hey Google” voice commands. We found the system pretty responsive and easy to use.

You also get steering-wheel controls that can manipulate the digital dashboard, but they also control radio presets and volume, as well as the adaptive cruise control and semi-autonomous driving systems, where fitted. These aren’t always that easy to operate, and some settings require you to first select things from the main interior screen.

Equipment, options and accessories

In early 2022 the XC60’s trim level options were revised in line with other Volvo cars; these are now known as Core, Plus and Ultimate.

Standard equipment on the entry-level Core XC60 model and above now include leather seats, a leather steering wheel, cruise control, hill-start assistance, keyless start, LED headlights, powered and heated door mirrors, a powered tailgate, automatic wipers, a rear-view camera, parking assistance, alloy wheels, two-zone climate control, heated front seats, a 60:40 split-folding rear seat, digital radio, Bluetooth and Google Maps instead of a conventional built-in sat nav. This shouldn’t be seen as a negative, however – we like the way this operates.

A wide swathe of safety equipment is also standard across the range, in keeping with Volvo's long-standing focus on this area. Included is a 'City Safety' automatic braking system with pedestrian, cyclist and large-animal detection, oncoming traffic and off-road impact mitigation systems, road-sign recognition and a full complement of airbags. 

The XC60 Recharge line-up kicks off with the T6-engined Core, with lots of kit thrown in for a relatively low P11D value. On top of the standard features mentioned above, it gets gloss-black and chrome exterior trim and 18-inch alloy wheels.

Next up is the Plus, which includes everything from the Core trim and gets you choice of ‘Dark’ or ‘Bright’ themes; the Dark theme gets exterior trim pieces finished in high gloss black, while these trim pieces are finished in chrome on Bright theme models. Other exterior Plus features include a choice between two sets of 19-inch alloy wheels, a handsfree opening tailgate and puddle lights. But, it’s also only available with the T6 powertrain.

On the inside, Plus trim adds ambient lighting to the cabin, a heated windscreen and steering wheel, powered driver’s seat and four-zone climate control. It also brings extra driver assistance technology such as a 360-degree parking camera, adaptive cruise control and Pilot Assist (Volvo’s semi-autonomous driving feature), as well as blind spot monitoring and other driver awareness technology. Plus models also get a more advanced Harman Kardon sound system.

Ultimate is only available with the more powerful T8 engine and takes the luxury a step further. It comes with everything included on Plus models, 20-inch alloy wheels, adjustable air suspension, a powered panoramic sunroof, head-up display, contoured sports seats as well as a power adjustable seat for the passenger as well as the driver. Tinted windows are also standard on Ultimate alongside a more premium Bowers and Wilkins sound system.

Infotainment, apps & sat nav

Until recently, the XC60 used Volvo's Sensus infotainment system, which included things like Spotify, internet radio and Apple CarPlay or Android Auto connectivity as part of the Smartphone Integration Pack. From 2021 however, the XC60 uses a fully Android-based setup, with built-in Google Maps and other apps. 

This isn’t to be confused with the aforementioned Android Auto; Volvo’s Google-powered system still caters for both Android and Apple smartphone users. It just removes some of Volvo’s old operating software for more intuitive third-party apps. While all of the car’s functions remain buried in submenus, which can be tricky to navigate when on the move, you can now use “Hey Google” voice commands to control routine stuff like the Volvo XC60’s climate control and heated seats.